Hair Treatment Recovery

Recuperation After Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) in Ann Arbor

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) transplants have become quite popular with both men and women over the last several years. These transplants provide natural-looking results with minimal trauma. If you’re considering a hair restoration procedure, it is important that you learn what to expect during your hair treatment recovery in Ann Arbor.

Your FUE Hair Treatment Recovery is Unique

First, it’s important to know that everyone is different, and that your hair treatment recovery process will be unique to you depending on a number of factors, including:

the number of hairs you will need for your transplant, which may differ substantially than another candidate

FUE Hair Treatment Recovery Details

Following the procedure, hair treatment recovery times can vary, as can the length of time you’ll experience sensitivity. While a standard strip hair surgery could leave you with a large scar and weeks of recovery time, this isn’t the circumstance with an FUE procedure. A few things to keep in mind about the procedure and your recovery include:

Minimal Restrictions

The size of your case and the form of restoration technique you use determines any restrictions placed on you during your hair treatment recovery. Typically, with an FUE, you’re able to return to work within one to three days depending on the number of grafts and whether your hair requires shaving. Some people choose to take a week off from work.

Minimal Pain

FUE hair transplants involve very little pain. This has been a revolution compared to the old strip (FUT) procedure. The difference in sensation is due to the fact that there is no scalpel or stitches involved in an FUE procedure. Mild swelling and soreness may last for two days to two weeks of your hair treatment recovery period.

No Linear Scar

Since no stitches or scalpel are used in Follicular Unit Extraction, there is no linear scar. Because minuscule instruments are used to replant each individual hair one by one in the treatment area, patients not only enjoy a more natural look, but also faster healing during hair treatment recovery.

Immediate Lifestyle Changes

After your FUE procedure, you’ll need to follow post–procedure instructions. These hair treatment recovery guidelines include sleeping with your head slightly elevated and directions on how to wash your hair.

Complications

Every medical procedure has potential risks, though hair restoration surgery is one of the lowest risk cosmetic procedures performed in our practice. During hair treatment recovery, you may notice a lack of hair growth if you’re a heavy smoker. In addition, people with diabetes should have good control of their blood sugar level to minimize risks of FUE, which may include poor wound healing. Infection is another risk, although quite a small one. There is a risk of “shock loss” for the surrounding hairs, which is when existing hairs fall out around the grafts due to swelling from implantation during hair treatment recovery. This is more common in female patients. The implantation technique can influence this, as can the density newly place hairs.

Progressive Results

Immediately following your FUE procedure, you’ll notice the outline of your new hairline in your treatment area. Two or five days into your hair treatment recovery, you’ll begin to see hairline changes in your FUE transplant outline as tiny scabs are shed. After two to three weeks, you may see some shedding of the tiny graft hairs, which is normal. Your new hairs will begin to grow around the fourth month after the procedure and continue to thicken your hair for 12 months. You’ll need to be patient, as hair grown around 1.25 centimeters (or half an inch) per month, on average.

Remember, each patient is different, so it is essential that you realize that some cases could take up to 18 months before revealing the best hair transplant results. Although an ideal look takes some time, the transplanted hairs are permanent.